Matt Tavares facts for kids
Matthew Manuel Tavares (born December 4, 1975) is an American illustrator and writer. He is famous for creating children's picture books.
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Who Is Matt Tavares?
Matt Tavares is a talented author and illustrator. He creates wonderful picture books for children. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Growing up, Matt loved books and reading. His mom read to him every night. His family also visited the public library very often.
How Matt Tavares Started His Career
When Matt went to Bates College, he studied art. There, he remembered how much he loved picture books. He decided he wanted to make his own. For his final college project, Matt wrote and drew a book called "Sebastian's Ball." It was about a boy who caught a special baseball at a Boston Red Sox game.
In 2000, after working on it more, his book was published. It was renamed Zachary's Ball. This book won an award called the Massachusetts Book Award Honor. It was also named one of the "40 Classic New England Children's Books."
Matt Tavares's Amazing Books
Since his first book, Matt Tavares has illustrated over 20 more. He has also written many of them himself. His books have won several awards. These include three Parents' Choice Gold Awards. His beautiful artwork has been shown in famous museums. These include the Museum of American Illustration and the Brandywine River Museum.
Where You Can Find Matt Tavares
When Matt is not drawing, he travels around the country. He visits schools, libraries, and bookstores. He talks about his books and draws for kids. He has even given talks at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. He has also done book signings at Fenway Park, a famous baseball stadium. Matt Tavares lives in Maine with his wife and two daughters.
Books by Matt Tavares
Matt Tavares has written and illustrated many popular books. If no writer is listed, it means Matt wrote the story too.
- Zachary's Ball (Candlewick Press, 2000)
- 'Twas the Night Before Christmas (Candlewick, 2002)
- Oliver's Game (Candlewick, 2004)
- Mudball (Candlewick, 2005)
- Jack and the Beanstalk, by E. Nesbit (Candlewick, 2006)
- Iron Hans: A Grimm's Fairy Tale, retold by Stephen Mitchell (Candlewick, 2007)
- Lady Liberty: A Biography, by Doreen Rappaport (Candlewick, 2008)
- The Gingerbread Pirates, by Kristen Kladstrup (Candlewick, 2009)
- Henry Aaron's Dream (Candlewick, 2010)
- Jack's Path of Courage: The Life of John F. Kennedy, by Doreen Rappaport (Disney-Hyperion, 2010)
- Over the River and Through the Wood (Candlewick, 2011)
- There Goes Ted Williams: The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived (Candlewick, 2012)
- Helen's Big World: The Life of Helen Keller, by Doreen Rappaport (Disney-Hyperion, 2012)
- Becoming Babe Ruth (Candlewick, 2013)
- Jubilee: One Man's Big, Bold and Very, Very Loud Celebration of Peace, by Alicia Potter (Candlewick, 2014)
- Growing Up Pedro (Candlewick, 2015) – about Pedro Martínez
- Crossing Niagara: The Death-Defying Tightrope Adventures of the Great Blondin (Candlewick, 2016)
- Lighter Than Air: Sophie Blanchard, the First Woman Pilot , by Matthew Clark Smith (Candlewick, 2017)
- Red & Lulu (Candlewick, 2017)
- Dasher (Candlewick, 2019)
- A Ben of All Trades, by Michael J. Rosen (Candlewick, 2020)
- Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, by Jeff Gottesfeld (Candlewick, 2021)
- Hoops: A Graphic Novel (Candlewick, 2023)
- Dasher Can't Wait for Christmas (Candlewick, 2023)
Awards and Special Recognitions
Matt Tavares's books have received many awards and honors.
Major Awards
- New England Book Award: Hoops, 2023
- Good Housekeeping Best Kids' Book Award: Hoops, 2023
- California Young Reader Medal: Helen's Big World, 2016
- Lupine Award: Helen's Big World, 2012 (Also Honor Books for Henry Aaron's Dream, 2010; Jubilee, 2014; Growing Up Pedro, 2015)
- Parents' Choice Gold Award: Mudball, 2005; Jack and the Beanstalk, 2006; Lady Liberty: A Biography, 2008
- The Audrey Geisel Friend of Military Children Award, from United Through Reading: Twenty-One Steps, 2021
Other Honors and Lists
- Massachusetts Book Award Honors: Zachary's Ball, 2000; There Goes Ted Williams, 2012; Jubilee, 2014; Growing Up Pedro, 2015
- Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children: Henry Aaron's Dream, Recommended Book, 2010; Growing Up Pedro, Honor Book, 2015
- Texas Bluebonnet Award, master list: Lady Liberty: A Biography, 2009-2010
- ALA Notable Books: Growing Up Pedro, 2016; Helen's Big World, 2013; Twenty-One Steps, 2022
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People: Mudball, 2005; Lady Liberty, 2008; Becoming Babe Ruth, 2013; Jubilee, 2015; Crossing Niagara, 2016
- Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Awards: Zachary's Ball, Lady Liberty, Over the River and Through the Wood, Becoming Babe Ruth, Jack's Path of Courage, There Goes Ted Williams
- New York Times Best Seller list: Dasher, 2019-2022
- Indiebound National Best Seller list: The Gingerbread Pirates, 2009; Red & Lulu, 2017; Dasher, 2019; Hoops, 2023
- USA Today Bestseller list: Dasher, 2020-2022
- Indiebound Kids' Next List: Hoops, 2023
